ESA Calls For Proposals For The NEXT Mission

ESA is calling for proposals for their Next Exploration Science and Technology (NEXT) mission under the Aurora Space Exploration Programme. The launch is planned in the 2015-2018 frame.

The mission goal is the demonstration of future key technologies like descent and ascent. The Aurora program was started in December 2005 with a central goal to provide technologies for sample return missions that were identified as the main exploration goals in the long term, especially for Mars.

Until April 13, 2007, the industry, technical centres and scientific communities are invited to send ESA their proposals.